There is an enjoyable self-guided hike/scavenger hunt happening at Oenslager Nature Center. It ends on January 7th so if you want to join in the fun, you must plan to go soon! Oenslager Nature Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM. The hiking trails are open from 6 AM until one-hour past sunset.
The Medina County Park District hid 13 mischievous Yule Lads along the Paved trail, Wetland Loop, and Pine Forest Loop. I highly recommend wearing boots as the trails are muddy but even after all this rain, it isn’t too bad to walk through with boots! Searching for the Yule Lads is so much fun, it’s well worth walking through some mud!
At the start of the hike, there is a QR code that will download a PDF that tells a story of each Yule Lad and can also serve as a “checklist” to ensure you find all of them. My daughter loved hearing all the tales of each Yule Lad as we found them.
To find the Yule Lads, simply follow the paths that have the green winter hat trail markers!
At the end of the hike, kids get to pick a mini Yule Lad to take home for themselves (while supplies last). My daughter has enjoyed hiding her Yule Lad each night and has us find it each morning. She comes up with new mischief for it to get into every night.
You can tell the Medina County Parks District put a lot of time and effort into this hike/scavenger hunt as the Yule Lads are very detailed and placed perfectly throughout the hike. Thank you, Medina County Parks!
